We already heard the rumors for quite some time that Nvidia would be absent from the list of specs out of Sony’s office, and seeing AMD populating the PS4 specs list only confirmed those suspicions. Without the PS4 in its sights, the company’s outlook for Microsoft’s new console also seems like it has the potential to be bleak. So what does all of this mean for Nvidia?
Nvidia’s Foray Into Android
According to Jen-Hsun Huang, the CEO over at Nvidia, the company wants to push his patent chips onto smartphones and tablets to further power up the small devices. Says Huang regarding its foray into the Android market: “This is going to be the best way to enjoy games in the future. We felt that there’s an opportunity for someone to make an open ecosystem more enjoyable.”
Even though the company has faced off against AMD for quite some time, it’s still not down and out in the graphics war. AMD reaches a large market of gamers who seek to get the latest console, but Nvidia still has its grasp on the majority market: other users who don’t really buy new consoles and prefer their tablet and smartphone. It’s still just as huge a market as what AMD is hitting, if not larger.
Shelling Out for Handhelds
One other reason that Sony’s exclusion of Nvidia can only mean good for the company is that now it gets to focus on the nickel and dime market. Currently, gamers need to shell out a small fortune to get the latest handheld, and it still costs a pretty penny to get a new game for it every so often. With the Android market, Nvidia is in a position to profit when consumers enjoy seeing the small price tag on devices with the promises of games $5 and under further luring them in.
While it’s still early to say exactly how either Nvidia or AMD will benefit from Sony’s decision, we’re looking forward to seeing the development.
